Ronald Zernicke appointed dean of kinesiology

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Ronald Zernicke, director of the Bone and Joint Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation Center, has been appointed the new dean of the School of Kinesiology. President Mary Sue Coleman and Provost Teresa Sullivan made the announcement last week, pending Board of Regent approval.

The appointment is effective Jan. 1.

In addition to directing the Bone and Joint Center since 2007, Zernicke is a faculty member in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the School of Kinesiology.

"President Coleman and I are extremely pleased that Dr. Zernicke is assuming the leadership of the School of Kinesiology at this time of dramatic change within the study of human movement," Sullivan says. "We are confident that he will strengthen the school's international reputation of excellence in providing innovative education for the next generation of movement science professionals."

Zernicke came to U-M from the University of Calgary and Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute, where he served as executive director from 2005-07. His research focuses on the adaptation of bone to exercise, diet and disease, and joint injury and osteoarthritis. With more than 570 research publications and three books, his research has been supported by high profile organizations such as the Arthritis Society of Canada, Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, Alberta Ingenuity Fund and Canadian Institutes of Health Research among others.

Zernicke sees great promise in the School of Kinesiology.

"Kinesiology is poised to move from what I would call excellent to outstanding," Zernicke says. "People have described kinesiology as an undervalued stock. There is a tremendous resource there, and I don't think the full message is getting out."

During his term some of Zernicke's major goals include developing a strategic plan, recruiting more faculty and high-quality students, and increasing marketing, branding and public relations to boost the school's visibility nationally and internationally.

This is the second round of interviews since former Dean Beverly Ulrich stepped down in 2008. After 10 years Ulrich's tenure was marked by growth in all areas and more space, notably the Observatory Lodge building, which opened in 2007.

"Dr. Ron Zernicke has a remarkable record as a researcher in the field of kinesiology and tissue biomechanics," Ulrich says. "He is recognized around the world for his own work as well as his breadth of knowledge and leadership. He combines strong and visionary leadership with a supportive and open rapport with colleagues, faculty and alumni."

Ken Warner, dean of the School of Public Health, says Zernicke was by far the best candidate.

"He understands academia in general and U-M specifically, is well-connected with other units of the university, including the Medical School, and appreciates the diverse dimensions of serving as a dean," Warner says. "He's also incredibly personable, which will serve him well in working with his faculty, with alumni and donors, and with his fellow deans."

Zernicke earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts from Concordia University Chicago in 1970, and Master of Science in biomechanics and doctorate in biomechanics and anatomy from the University of Wisconsin in 1972 and 1974, respectively. He joined the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1974 as assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and became professor in 1986. In 1991 he joined the University of Calgary, holding faculty and administrative appointments in the faculty of the departments of kinesiology, surgery, physiology and biophysics, and mechanical and manufacturing engineering.

"I think there is tremendous opportunity here," Zernicke says. "The University of Michigan has both the breadth and depth to be outstanding in many different areas, particularly in the School of Kinesiology. I'm excited to be a part of it."

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